New Xbox and Mac Mini show Microsoft and Apple's design divergence

Yesterday Microsoft took the wraps off of their redesigned Xbox while this morning Apple quietly released their new Mac Mini. Though the products are not in the same categories, both reveal the companies' diverging design philosophies: Microsoft is clearly going after the Alienware-inspired male-centric gaming demographic, whereas Apple seems to be seeking admission to MoMA's permanent collection by unibody-izing the previously plastic Mini into an ultra-minimal form.

In terms of a subjective preference of style, Apple's direction has got my vote hands-down, though it can be argued they're simply doing more of the same; others, like Digital Trends' Rob Enderle, think the new Xbox means Microsoft is "inching closer" or even "passing Apple in product design." I think Enderle's assertions are nuts, but Xbox fans disagree or find the design irrelevant: After being announced, the new Xbox sold out on Amazon in less than 24 hours. Different strokes....

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19 Comments

I'm not huge on design to be honest. I just want something to work and not get in my way while I do things. But, that doesn't mean I'm against something looking nice as long as it functions as advertised.

Both are ugly.
They are ugly in different ways though, refecting very well the companies that designed them. The XBox wants to make you afraid. "Fear the computer" is an apt metaphore what what Microsoft inspires in most peope. The Mac is invisible, you could easily loose it in all the clutter already on your desk. "Transparent computing aka It Just Works" is a phrase well associated with Apple.
So, the both good expressions of the companies that produced them.
Personnaly, I'm a Linux user. I'm much rather my computer looked like http://markethings.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/steampunk2.jpg Bespoke, ideosyncratic and not for the casual user.

Whilst I like the new Mac Mini. You have to ask yourself is what Apple doing with it even design? it looks more like styling to me. Useful features like an on button and SD slot are hidden at the back for the sake of look.
At least the new 360 provides improvements in the physical design over styling.
Apple's design these days feels like a tyranny, cold, anesthetic and boring. The same rounded rectangle, over and over and over again.
It's good design/styling yes, but compared to so many other markets its really is plowing the same lines again and again.
I guess its like Porsches, you either see a classic design constantly refined or company with no new ideas.

You've been able to upgrade the memory in the mac mini since... um... forever.
I use both systems, and have more or less had apple products since 1992. While I appreciate the engineering in the new aluminum age, and how they can apply this design philosophy to so many products, I also think they lost something. I remember getting my lime green iMac in 1999, and it was so much fun, it was such a huge break away from beige computers. Then came the colored iBooks, and the fantastic commercials with an array of colors. Apple was getting funky. They then released flower power imacs, tie died varients, and all sorts of weird patterns. Then came the iMac G4 with it's lampshade base and chrome arm, and after that... the design got sterile. Yeah, it's nice when technology fades into the background... but it's also not nearly as fun.
Also, a lot of other manufacturers are cribbing apple's current style. Paint it silver. Punch some holes in it. Make it a square with rounded corners. It's clean, it's classic, but I can't help but wonder if they need to do something else to help differentiate themselves from their competitors.

This is a direct quote.
"Microsoft still leads Apple in sales. In the latest quarter, Microsoft reported $14.5 billion in revenue compared with Apple's $13.5 billion."
Does apple have a better design edge than microsoft? Undoubtedly. Do they have a higher market share in designed products? Of course-- but then again, Apple's focus is on consumer electronics like the iphone, ipad, etc. Keep in mind that microsoft's biggest hitters are software. That means that you're comparing things that when they fail, require a simple re-install or replacement of 3rd party component versus things that when they fail require the purchase of a new unit. While windows is officially on nearly 90% of all computers, I don't doubt that it's more mainly because I know people that have pirated software all of their lives, so factor that one in. Microsoft's products themselves aren't terrible, but they don't have the cult following because Microsoft fanboys are all about software; "Who cares about a gadget you can't customize and upgrade when you can take software and custom-build your system for x y or z reason?" Looking at Apple fanboys, you have gadget fanatics; "I have the latest and coolest tech-toy from my favorite company, who needs power computing or wicked fast performance when I've got this cool thing to show off?"
You're comparing two different markets, and two different consumers. Microsoft is more software techies compatibility and function (engineer side), where apple is more emotional attachment and brand identity (designer). Key word "more". Don't believe me? Poll IT guys and engineers versus designers and your average gadget consumer.
That being said, after so many years it's good to finally see the option to customize newer apple tech (expandable memory on the mini), albeit only one tiny part of it.
So which one's better? What do you need it for? :)

Apple's design quality is undeniable although I can list some failures such as the Mighty Mouse, etc.
I'm an absolute minimalist myself but I do recognize its limitations; that is one of the reasons why post-modernism appeared as a reaction to dry extreme minimalism.
In my opinion Apple's popularity has more to do with fantastic marketing and very aggressive planned obsolescence than just design.

Why the black, Apple? I think the contrasts are too strong and makes it look less elegant and coherent. Same thing goes for the imac and the alu macbook. Please go back to the elegance of the all silver macbook pro and silver cinema display.

I couldn't disagree more with you John. Apple's designs show restraint, something seriously under valued by industrial designers, and consideration for the product. If these were tissue boxes, or toasters then I would agree with you. But they are computers, and as such their real value lies in their ease of use, and interface. The minimalist design take into account that a product in this genre will more than likely sit adjacent to other computer products, which highly increases the likelihood of desk clutter. When I see a product like the new Xbox, I immediately think they are compensating for something because of the shiny, over designed shell.

I agree with John, this apple incarnation seems a bit uninspired to me. It might look decent and perhaps refreshing on a cluttered desk, but I'd more go for boring.
And maybe I've been desensitized by those crazy stereos and other gaudy electronics, but that Xbox doesn't seem all that out there, it's actually looks reasonably clean while not being sanitized (though you're probably right about the demographic). But maybe they just photographed it well ;)

It feels as if there've been three epochs of (new) Apple design.
The Bondi Age: Original iMacs, Aqua, Blue/White PowerMacs and Studio Displays.
The Ice Age: Glossy or matte white everywhere, original iPods, Dome iMac, MacBooks, etc.
And this new Aluminum Age (or the Braunz Age if you want to get cutesy) which started with the Titanium PowerBook all those years ago, but now seems to finally be hitting its stride.
It's as if the unibody process has finally enabled Ive to create the magical, mysterious platonic solids he's been orbiting around since the first iPod.
I mean, have you held an Apple Remote Control in your hand? It makes me feel like one of the apes at the start of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It's a marvel of engineering (no seems, so thin you don't understand how they fit the circuitry inside, perfectly balanced in the hand, etc). And it's just a remote control.
Some say uninspired, I say the meeting point of cutting edge processes, materials, manufacturing technologies, and an incredibly inspired and refined vision.
And yes, I'll happily be called an Apple Fanboy, if that's the response this comment elicits.

I think there took quite a lot of engineering expertise to get all those components in such a small aluminum square. The only aesthetic deviations from the simplest, most obvious shape (rounded square) come in the form of the round base with the two thumb holes, which easily twist off to allow access to the internal components. Apple doesn't need to try to make something appear designed for design's sake, they try to simplify things into the most basic, perfect shape (which often times appears to be the most obvious shape).
It all comes down to preferences, of course, but I prefer Apple's minimalist aesthetic over the busier, testosterone-driven lines of Microsoft.

John, when should you get excited? How about when you actually touch the Apple and it is actually metal (not glossy plastic). Or perhaps when you turn the Apple on to that satisfying "Bong". Or maybe when OsX boots and it all is beautifully thought out? Or maybe when you don't need to install a driver for that new gadget and it just works? I don't know, I think any of those times would be good ones to get excited.
More seriously, I agree with your sentiment. The Apple is (merely?) and extension of a preexisting design methodology, manufacturing technique, and brand statement... BUT, an excellent job at doing that. Hipstomp is incorrect when he says this is going to MoMA... the entire collection is going to MoMA, and this is a fantastic example of ID in this century, not single items, but a philosophy applied across a family of artifacts that all work together or on their own.
The xBox on the flip side works as a nice counterpoint. This is not designed for MoMA, it is designed for 16 year olds who game, and game hard. I won't get it (I bought a Wii when it came out and I'm good) and I am nowhere near the target audience. In theory, I shouldn't like the xBox at all, I should almost be repulsed by it. I think it could have been pushed farther in that respect, but at the end of the day what matters here is games, and games it has. Lots of 'em. I think they did a good job of keeping it contemporary and clean while making it slightly aggressive and the little top-heaviness of it almost makes it a tad uncomfortable which is a nice little subconscious design cue.
Conclusion, both are very good... it is a good time to be a designer when companies want to invest this heavily in what we do.

That x-box only looks better than the previous x-box. All the same, Id rather not have to look at another blinking bit of tech by my TV.
I like the mac mini because its small and really doesnt look like anything. If only it didnt have wires and that huge power brick.

I agree with John. I'm not a gamer but the X-box speaks volumes and still maintains a high aesthetic value, very specific for its audience. Apple's aesthetic has become almost sterile. I find such aesthetic becoming quite a tyranny.

'And so do consumers'
Skipping the part where you clearly don't 'get' minimalism and your design taste, as subjective as it is, is questionable. How can you speak for consumers?
I think Apple is doing fairly well for itself because of their design. I walked passed AT&T this morning and saw a line around the block just there to preorder the new iPhone. The iPad has been on heavy demand since it's release. And Apple has just surpassed Microsoft as the No1 tech company.
I'm actually not an Apple fanboy, but to try and deny their design ability is seriously laughable.

while the Apple design seems more graceful, it definitely is just a simple carryover from their already-established design philosophy. and as far as the xbox, it IS a game console, so of COURSE it's going to look like an Alienware. the PS3 is no different. the Wii (and by proxy the new Mac Mini) are both after a much broader audience, and as such, cannot cater to the rather narrow "i play games in which i shoot things" demographic.

I think Apple's design is great because of how it comes together and not what it actually looks like. Manufacturing, placement of components into something you wouldn't know was a computer with any other logo on it.
"Alienware" is the first thing I thought when I saw the Xbox. that "ridge" is killing me.
It's funny how Xbox and Wii are abandoning their fumbled attempts at a "friendlier" copy-cat white version by coming out with black ones. Look at the original (2001) Xbox. This new one is the most logical extension of what they had back then.

I think you're wrong and so do consumers. Apple isn't really designing anything here, they've got a nice aluminum square, rounded the corners and tossed a logo on top; when should I get excited?
Xbox isn't my forte either but at least I see something going on, whether I like it or not.
The Apple computer seems very uninspired to me, it's another brushed al. square stamped with a logo.

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